[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 3, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34718-34719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15600]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-253-AD; Amendment 39-9675; AD 96-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 
600, and 700 series airplanes, that currently requires supplemental 
structural inspections to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or 
replacement, as necessary, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes. This amendment adds and revises certain significant 
structural items for which inspection and repair or replacement is 
necessary. This amendment is prompted by a structural re-evaluation 
conducted by the manufacturer, which identified additional structural 
elements where fatigue damage is likely to occur. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of 
these airplanes.

DATES: Effective August 6, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of Fokker SIP Product Support 
Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995, 
as listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of August 6, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 
1, including revisions up through November 1, 1991, as listed in the 
regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of October 21, 1992 (57 FR 42693).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Harder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1721; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 92-19-07, 
amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 42693, September 16, 1992), which is 
applicable to all Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on 
April 10, 1996 (61 FR 15906). The action proposed to supersede AD 92-
19-07 to continue to require a program of supplemental structural 
inspections (SIP) to detect fatigue cracks, and repair or replacement, 
as necessary. The action also proposed to add and revise certain 
significant structural items (SSI) for which inspection and repair or 
replacement is necessary.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Support for the Proposal

    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 34 Fokker Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 
400, 500, 600, and 700 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 92-19-07 take 
approximately 295 work hours per airplane per year to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the requirements of the 
previously-issued AD that are retained in this new AD action is 
estimated to be $601,800, or $17,700 per airplane, annually.
    The new actions that are required by this new AD action will take 
approximately 179 additional work hours per airplane per year to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of

[[Page 34719]]

$60 per work hour. These actions include the implementation of the 
inspections, repairs, or replacements specified in the revisions to the 
SIP Document into an operator's maintenance program; as well as 
removal, inspection, and installation of structure. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators relative to the new 
requirements of this AD is estimated to be $365,160, or $10,740 per 
airplane, the first year and annually thereafter.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8365 (57 FR 
42693, September 16, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-9675, to read as follows:

96-13-07  Fokker: Amendment 39-9675. Docket 95-NM-253-AD. Supersedes 
AD 92-19-07, Amendment 39-8365.

    Applicability: All Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 
and 700 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of these airplanes, 
accomplish the following:

    Note 2: Information collection requirements contained in this 
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 
2120-0056.

    (a) Within 6 months after October 21, 1992 (the effective date 
of AD 92-19-07, amendment 39-8365), incorporate into the FAA-
approved maintenance program the inspections, inspection intervals, 
repairs, or replacements defined in Fokker Structural Integrity 
Program (SIP) Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
November 1, 1991; and inspect, repair, and replace, as applicable. 
The non-destructive inspection techniques referenced in the SIP 
Document provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the 
inspections required by this AD. If any cracking is detected, 
inspection results must be reported to Fokker in accordance with the 
instructions of the SIP Document.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program the 
inspections, inspection intervals, repairs, or replacements defined 
in Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, including 
revisions up through August 1, 1995; and inspect, repair, and 
replace, as applicable. The non-destructive inspection techniques 
referenced in the SIP Document provide acceptable methods for 
accomplishing the inspections required by this AD. If any cracking 
is detected, inspection results must be reported to Fokker in 
accordance with the instructions of the SIP Document.
    (c) Cracked structure detected during the inspections required 
by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD must be repaired or replaced, 
prior to further flight, in accordance with the instructions in 
Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
November 1, 1991; or Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 
1, including revisions up through August 1, 1995; respectively; or 
in accordance with other data meeting the certification basis of the 
airplane which is approved by the FAA or by the 
Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD).
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) Certain of the actions shall be done in accordance with 
Fokker SIP Document 27438, Part 1, including revisions up through 
November 1, 1991. The incorporation by reference of that document 
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of October 21, 
1992 (57 FR 42693). Certain other actions shall be done in 
accordance with Fokker SIP Product Support Document 27438, Part 1, 
including revisions up through August 1, 1995. The incorporation by 
reference of this document was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies of either document may be obtained from Fokker Aircraft 
USA, Inc., 1199 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 6, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15600 Filed 7-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U